LA Fitness, one of the fastest growing health club chains in the U.S., is remodeling 10 of its clubs in San Diego County this summer and fall.

All the clubs are at least seven years old and some have had partial upgrades. The company is spending $5 million on this overhaul to make members happy and demonstrate its commitment to this market.

"San Diego is a great, active market and all the clubs do a significant amount of workouts, industry-average wise," said Bill Horner, senior vice president/chief real estate officer of LA Fitness.

The company has 11 local clubs, including the National City club acquired from Bally's in December 2011. (The Bally club is not on this renovation list but it will be either renovated or replaced, Horner said.) Its Mission Valley location closed in March. The Encinitas club was the first to get an upgrade and reopened early this month. Others being renovated: Poway, San Marcos, Eastlake/Chula Vista, 4S Ranch, San Carlos, Escondido, Sorrento Valley, Kearny Mesa, Vista. The schedule is below.

Members can look forward to brand-new equipment and a softer, hotel-inspired look, with subdued graphics. "We want the people to be the activity," Horner said. Most of the clubs already had the specially chosen pewter/silver machines, instead of the standard black, "so you don't walk into this barrier of metal," he said.

The clubs face competition from new chains entering the San Diego market, such as Chuze Fitness and Crunch, that offer fewer amenities and lower monthly rates. LA Fitness rates vary but are typically around $1 per day.

Horner said that some people want a no-frills experience, but LA Fitness clubs offer babysitting, 50 classes a week, swimming pools, racquetball and basketball courts. "Our entire goal has always been to provide the best value in the business," he said.

Remodel work will be completed on a rolling schedule, during which members will have access to other local clubs. Each club ranges from 38,000 to 52,000 square feet.

LA Fitness renovations

Encinitas: The club at 201 S. El Camino Real received new cardio equipment with personal viewing screens, free weights, strength equipment, interior and exterior paint, artwork, locker rooms and saunas, refinished hardwood floors, a new pool deck. The Kids Klub, reception area and juice bar were renovated. The facilities reopened on July 3.

Poway: The club at 12648 Poway Road was remodeled 18 months ago with new carpet, paint and artwork. It will now receive new treadmills, cross trainers, elliptical trainers, stepmills, 20 pieces of strength equipment, four circuit machines and 16 free-weight pieces. The club will be closed for one day, Aug. 3, while the equipment is changed out.

San Marcos: The club at 125 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road will receive new carpet, paint, artwork and lighting; refinished wood floors in the aerobics room, and basketball and racquetball courts; and new indoor cycling bikes, elliptical trainers, stepmills, weight plates and select strength equipment. The club will be temporarily closed from Aug. 6-9.

Eastlake/Chula Vista: The club at 2070 Otay Lakes Road will receive new carpet, paint, artwork and lighting; refinished wood floors in the aerobics room, and basketball and racquetball courts; 78 new pieces of cardio equipment; and an assortment of strength equipment and dumbbells. The club will be temporarily closed from Aug. 6-9.